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31st International Conference31st International Conferenceandand

the Auxiliary Role of National Societies the Auxiliary Role of National Societies

Kimberly Nina RajaretnamKimberly Nina RajaretnamICRCICRC

Training Workshop on strengthening disaster laws andTraining Workshop on strengthening disaster laws andhumanitarian actionhumanitarian action

11 October 201111 October 2011Male, MaldivesMale, Maldives

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INTRODUCTION

GENERAL ASSEMBLY – 23- 25 Nov 2011 (186 NS & Federation

meet to decide general policies)

COUNCIL OF DELEGATES – 26 Nov 2011 (Movement meet to

discuss matters concerning Movement and adopts agenda)

31ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE – 28 Nov – 1 Dec 2011 (186

NS + ICRC + Federation + 194 State Parties to GCs)

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OVERVIEW OF THE 31ST IC

WHEN → 28th November to 1st December 2011

WHERE → Geneva, Switzerland

WHO → States Party to the Geneva Conventions and components of the Movement – the ICRC, the National Societies and their International Federation

WHAT → Movement's supreme deliberative body that convenes every four years

WHY → addresses evolving contemporary humanitarian challenges and the responsibilities of all Conference Members

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Monday 28 Nov Tuesday 29 Nov Wednesday 30 Nov Thursday 1 Dec

9.00

10.00

11.00

12.00

13.00

14.00 Option:

Commissions

15.00 13:30 - 15:30

16.00

17.00

18.00

19.00 Reception

Opening Ceremony

1st plenaryFormal opening

(agenda/officers/speeches)

3rd plenary sessionReport on MoU(Election results

1st round)

4th plenary sessiondisaster laws issues

1st round SC Election

Roll call for election

Consolidation of resolutions and implementation guidance etc.

Draft

ing Comm

ittee

9:00 - 11:30

Draft

ing Comm

ittee

2nd plenary session IHL issues

Draft

ing Comm

ittee

5th plenary session (closing)

Drafting Report Adoption of Resolutions

Comm. recommendations(Final SC election results)

2nd round SC Election(if

need)

Workshops18:00 - 20:00

Workshops18:00 - 20:00Meet the SC candidates

Structure

5 commissions running twice Commission A: Migration: ensuring access,dignity,respect for diversity, social inclusionCommission B: Partnership for stronger NSs & volunteering development

Commission C: Health care in dangerCommission D: inequitable access to health careCommission E: IHL

Version : 23 Aug 2011

ComA

ComB

ComC

ComD

13:30 – 16:00

ComE

ComC

ComB

ComA

16:30 – 19:00

ComE

ComD

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Strengthening disaster laws •IDRL•Risk reduction legislation•Regulatory barriers to shelter

Strengthening IHL •Strengthening Legal Protection for Victims of Armed Conflicts•IHL & the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts•4 year plan of action

Strengthening local humanitarian action•Furthering auxiliary role: partnership for stronger NSs & volunteering development•Migration: ensuring access, dignity, respect for diversity & social inclusion

Addressing barriers to health care •'Health Care in Danger'•Addressing equitable access to health services

OBJECTIVES

Strengthening IHL and humanitarian actionsOur world. Your move – for humanity

Pledges

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•WHAT IS IHL - Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocols and Customary Law

•WHEN DOES IHL APPLY?- in international armed conflict- in non-international armed conflict - NOT in internal disturbances

•WHO DOES IHL PROTECT?- IHL protects those who are not, or no longer taking part in fighting (civilians, wounded, POWs, etc)- IHL restricts the means and methods of warfare

OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL

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Two reports form basis of debate:

1. Strengthening Legal Protection for Victims of Armed Conflicts and

2. IHL and the Challenges of Contemporary Armed conflicts – the "Challenges Report"

OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL

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Four identified IHL areas for strengthening:

1. Protection for persons deprived of liberty *

2. Implementation of IHL* and reparations for victims of violations

3. Protection of IDPs

4. Protection of the natural environment

OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL

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• Challenges Report: IHL & the challenges of contemporary armed conflicts:

- overview of current challenges to IHL - background document- includes proposals for strengthening the law

• 4 year Plan of Action (2011-2015)- overall aim of improving respect for IHL- objectives and recommendations for action on

implementation

OBJECTIVE 1: STRENGTHENING IHL

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• Respecting and Protecting Health in Armed Conflict and OSVs = Health Care in Danger (HCiD)

- addresses violence against health care workers, facilities and beneficiaries- Movement to urge for better access – ensure with Parties

the necessary guarantees / practice- HCiD Campaign development of practical measures

OBJECTIVE 2: ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE

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• Furthering auxiliary role: partnership for stronger National Societies & volunteering development

OBJECTIVE 3:STRENGTHENING LOCAL HUMANITARIAN ACTION

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Role of the Auxiliary – IHL gives NS a special status

- Geneva Convention 1- Article 26, etc.

- Statutes for the Movement – Articles 3 (1) and 4(3)

- 27th International Conference – Plan of Action

- Resolution 2 from the 30th International Conference

AUXILIARY ROLE OF NATIONAL SOCIETIES

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Plan of Action from the 27th IC called for

“an in-depth study into the working relationship between States and

National Societies, taking into account the changing needs in the

humanitarian, health and social fields, the auxiliary role of National

Societies and the evolving role of the State, the private sector and

voluntary organizations in service provision”.

AUXILIARY ROLE OF NATIONAL SOCIETIES

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• Relationship between the State and National Society - States have primary responsibility/ NS as a supporting

role i.e. in disaster preparedness and response, community based health service, etc.

• Cooperation between National Societies and the Movement

- NS role creates its own neutral, impartial, humanitarian space – allows access/operate freely

• Fundamental Principles (Humanity, Impartiality and Neutrality) - NS obliged to adhere to the fundamental principles and States obliged to respect this obligation

AUXILIARY ROLE OF NATIONAL SOCIETIES

Fundamental principles of the Movement Humanity Impartiality Neutrality Independence Voluntary Service Unity Universality

ICRCICRC

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Strengthening legal protection for victims of armed conflicts Four-year action plan for IHL Strengthening disaster laws Respecting and Protecting Health Care in armed conflict

and other situations of violence Health inequities with a focus on women and children Furthering the auxiliary role: partnership for stronger NSs &

volunteering development Migration: ensuring access, dignity, respect for diversity &

social inclusion

EXPECTED RESOLUTIONS

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Commitments to carry out actions in support of the implementation of resolutions adopted by the Conference

By any participants, individually and/or collectively Pledge guidelines sent with convocation in May Model pledges Participants are encouraged to submit their pledges

from September onwards at

PLEDGES

http://www.rcrcconference.org/en/pledges-guidelines.html

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MORE INFO @

www.rcrcconference.org

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ICRCMr Bruce Biber, Head of the Division

for Cooperation and Coordination within the Movement, ICRC, Tel.: +41 22 730 26 63e-mail: bbiber@icrc.org

Ms Victoria Gardener, Head of the Unit for Movement Meetings Tel.: +41 22 730 2110e-mail: vgardener@icrc.org

CONTACT PERSONS

IFRCMr Frank Mohrhauer, Head of Governance Support, Policy Implementation and Oversight Department, IFRC, Tel.: +41 22 730 42 55

e-mail: frank.mohrhauer@ifrc.orgMs Yulia Gusynina, Coordinator of the International Conference and Council of Delegates, IFRC, Tel.: +41 22 730 4525

e-mail: yulia.gusynina@ifrc.org

Standing CommissionMs Helena Korhonen, Head of Secretariat

Tel.: +41 22 730 20 32, e-mail: h.korhonen @standcom.ch

Commissioner of the 31 st International ConferenceH.E. Mr. Jean-François Paroz

Tel.: +41 22 749 25 22, e-mail: jeanfrancois.paroz@eda.admin.ch